Adjustable top cover for split-system hvac units

ABSTRACT

An air conditioning unit that includes an interior unit, an exterior unit comprising a top face, a front face and a pair of opposing sidewalls, and a top cover.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional of and claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 63/270,215, filed Oct. 21, 2021, entitled“ADJUSTABLE TOP COVER FOR SPLIT-SYSTEM HVAC UNITS,” with attorney docketnumber 0111058-010PRO. This application is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety and for all purposes.

This application is also a non-provisional of and claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Application No. 63/270,209, filed Oct. 21, 2021,entitled “USER INTERFACES AND CONTROLS FOR HVAC SYSTEM,” with attorneydocket number 0111058-009PRO. This application is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.

This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/017,066, filed Sep. 10, 2020, entitled “WINDOW INSTALLATION SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR SPLIT-ARCHITECTURE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT,” with attorneydocket number 0111058-003US0. This application is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.

This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/724,036, filed Mar. 15, 2010, entitled “MODULAR AIR CONDITIONINGSYSTEM,” with attorney docket number 0111058-004US0. This application ishereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for allpurposes.

This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.XX/YYY,ZZZ, filed contemporaneously herewith, entitled “USER INTERFACESAND CONTROLS FOR HVAC SYSTEM,” with attorney docket number0111058-009US0. This application is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety and for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

In 1931, H. H. Schultz and J. Q. Sherman invented the first room airconditioner. The unit sat on the ledge of a window, just as many modernair conditioners do. They were not widely purchased, however, due totheir high cost at the time. It was not until the 1970s that window ACunits made it into most homes in the United States, with over onemillion units sold in just 1953. Residential air conditioning hasprogressed a long way in the past several decades in terms of noise,efficiency, and cost. However, some features have remained unchanged,namely the installation process. Traditional room air conditioning unitsstill sit on window ledges and are mounted in the sash of double-hungwindows. The units usually require the user to screw in the unit,accordion panels, and/or an additional external bracket for support.During the installation process, users often have to precariouslybalance the air conditioning unit between the window sill and thewindowpane while securing the system, which leads to units fallingoutside if the user accidentally loses his or her grip.

An alternative to window air conditioning units are ductless systemscomprised of at least two units, one outdoor unit and one indoor unit.These systems either contain a singular indoor unit coupled with asingular outdoor unit and are referred to as mini-splits, or severalindoor units coupled with a singular outdoor unit and are referred to asmulti-splits. Ductless systems do not need a duct to carry cooled orwarmed air as central or packaged systems do, but they still use ductsto contain the coolant fluid carrying heat in and out of the room. Thesesystems must be installed through a wall by a professional HVACtechnician. The professional installation process is typically expensiveand time-consuming. The installed cost of a high-performance mini-splitair conditioner for a single room can be more than 10 times that of awindow unit capable of cooling the same space. However, the advantage ofductless systems is that they allow for much higher efficiency thanwindow air conditioning units and are often much quieter.

With demand for air conditioners continuing to grow, decreasing the costand increasing the convenience of installing high-efficiency HVACsystems would help to remove barriers to adoption. In addition, a saferand more user-friendly installation process would remove the dangersassociated with configuring current air conditioning units.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a split-architecture air conditioning unit inaccordance with one example embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a split-architecture air conditioning unit disposedwithin a window in accordance with one example embodiment.

FIG. 3 a illustrates a modular climate control unit in accordance withone example embodiment.

FIG. 3 b illustrates a circulation hose in accordance with one exampleembodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates an external unit comprising a heat pump/airconditioning cycle in accordance with one example embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates circulating fluid directed to reduce the overalltemperature of a fluid storage tank within the interior unit inaccordance with one example embodiment.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 illustrate an example of a bracket that can be mountedover the sill of a window in a wall and slidably adapted to the size ofthe sill and wall via a first bracket portion and a second bracketportion.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example embodiment of a modular air conditionerunit having an interface disposed on the top face of the internal unitand a top cover extending between internal and external units.

FIG. 9 illustrates a top cover can comprising a first portion and asecond portion that are slidably nested together such that a length ofthe top cover can be changed to adapt to the distance between theinternal and external units.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example embodiment where the external unitcomprises coupling slots defined by the sidewalls of the external unitproximate to the top face.

FIG. 11 illustrates a top cover in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example embodiment where the top cover comprisesa railing for holding items on the top cover.

FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment where a modular air conditioningsystem comprises a screen that extends within a window.

FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment where a modular air conditioningsystem comprises a hole that can be used for storage of various itemssuch as a potted plant.

It should be noted that the figures are not drawn to scale and thatelements of similar structures or functions are generally represented bylike reference numerals for illustrative purposes throughout thefigures. It also should be noted that the figures are only intended tofacilitate the description of the preferred embodiments. The figures donot illustrate every aspect of the described embodiments and do notlimit the scope of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The description below discloses various embodiments of a novelinstallation system and method for installing a split-architecture airconditioning unit through a window. As discussed herein, the term airconditioning unit can apply to a unit configured to condition air invarious suitable ways including one or more of heating, cooling, movingair with a fan, de-humidifying, humidifying, filtering, and the like.

The systems and methods described herein, in some examples, allow forthe installation of an air conditioner/heat pump with split-architecturethrough a standard window opening with no specialized tools (removingthe need of a professional HVAC technician), no modification of thebuilding envelope, and preventing the possibility of the unitaccidentally falling out of the window during installation.

Various embodiments can include an air conditioning unit installationthat can comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of an outdoorunit, an indoor unit, a bracket assembly configured to facilitateinstallation and holding of the outdoor and indoor units on opposingsides of the sill of a window, and an operable coupling between theoutdoor unit and indoor unit that provides for operation of the airconditioning unit (e.g., one or more fluid lines, power lines,communication lines, and the like). As discussed herein, one or more ofsuch elements can be modular.

Various embodiments can minimize the number of steps required forinstallation of elements of the air conditioning unit, can reduce usererror during installation of the air conditioning unit, and the like.For example, some embodiments include a weight offset mechanism that isdirectly incorporated into the bracket.

Various embodiments can provide for a smooth transition of the outdoorunit to a final position outside of the window including preventing theoutdoor unit from falling out the window and providing for easymanipulation of the outdoor unit when initially engaging the outdoorunit with the bracket, and moving the outdoor unit through the windowand rotating the outdoor unit from a horizontal installation orientationto a vertical installed orientation. For example, as discussed in moredetail herein, some embodiments can include flanges on the sides of thebracket that help guide the user in safely pushing the unit out of thewindow. Additionally, various embodiments can be configured to beadapted to a variety of windows or openings.

Additionally, various embodiments can be configured to be adapted to avariety of windows in terms of size and shape, including width of thewindow, thickness of the window sill, distance between an internal wallface and an external wall face, height of the window sill from the floorof an indoor area, and the like.

As global demand for heating and cooling surges with rising temperaturesand extreme weather events, it will be increasingly important to lowerthe barriers to installing and using higher efficiency split-systemheating and cooling systems. Compared to traditional window airconditioning units, ductless split-system HVAC units of some embodimentsare quieter and more efficient due to their configuration of at leastone outdoor unit and one indoor unit.

There can be several advantages to various embodiments of thesplit-system design. For example, separation of the outdoor unit andindoor unit can allow for better efficiency because of the ability toprovide localized heating or cooling and the added insulation providedby the wall and window between the two units. Another advantage of thesplit-system configuration in some embodiments can be that some of thenoisiest portions of the device (e.g., the compressor, pump, and fan ofthe outdoor unit) can be positioned behind the wall and outside of thebuilding. Additionally, in various embodiments, the architecture of aductless split-system HVAC unit that is user-installable through thewindow can eliminate the need for a professional HVAC technician andhence expensive installation costs that are often more than the cost ofthe unit itself.

This disclosure covers various example embodiments of an adjustable topcover that can connect the indoor and outdoor units of a ductlesssplit-system HVAC unit and accommodates considerable variation in wallthicknesses and window geometries. The adjustable top cover in variousembodiments can also serve to protect the connections between the twounits, facilitate window sealing, and/or prevent water and other debrisfrom entering indoors. Visually, in various examples, the top cover tiestogether the modular indoor and outdoor units as one cohesive device.

In various embodiments, an adjustable top cover connects the outdoorunit to the indoor unit and has the ability to accommodate largevariations in wall thicknesses and window geometries. In some examples,after the user connects the electrical and hydronic lines of the indoorand outdoor units, the adjustable top cover provides protection of theseconnections from the elements, such as rain, snow, ice, and UVradiation. The adjustable top cover in various embodiments provides aflat surface for easier window sealing and aesthetically makes thesystem appear more cohesive and polished.

Turning to FIG. 1 , an example embodiment of an air conditioning unit100 is illustrated, which can comprise an indoor unit 110, an outdoorunit 130, a bracket assembly 150 and top cover 170, which can define anair conditioning unit cavity 190 between the indoor and outdoor units110, 130 and below the top cover 170. The air conditioning unit 100 canfurther comprise an operable coupling (not shown) between the outdoorunit 130 and indoor unit 110, such as below or within the top cover 170,that provides for operation of the air conditioning unit 100, which caninclude one or more fluid lines, power lines, communication lines, andthe like.

As discussed in more detail herein (see e.g., FIG. 2 ), in variousembodiments, the bracket assembly 150 can be configured to couple withthe sill of a window with the wall below the window sill being disposedwithin the cavity 190 such that the indoor unit 110 is disposed withinan indoor space proximate to the window; the outdoor unit 130 isdisposed in an outdoor space proximate to the window; and with the topcover 170 and operable coupling extending through the window and overthe sill of the window.

As shown in the example of FIG. 1 , the internal unit 110 can begenerally cuboid and define a front face 111, internal face 112, topface 113, bottom face 114 and side faces 115. A pair of internal unithandles 116 can be disposed on the opposing side faces 115 proximate tothe top face 113 of the internal unit 110. The internal unit handles 116can be used for lifting the internal unit during installation of theinternal unit 110 as discussed in more detail herein. A grille 118 canbe defined by a portion of the front face 111, which can provide apassage from inside the internal unit 110 through which conditioned aircan be expelled into an internal environment and/or air can be taken infrom the internal environment as discussed in more detail herein.

The external unit 130 can be generally cuboid and define a front face131, internal face 132, top face 133, bottom face 134 and side faces135. A pair of external unit side-handles 136 can be disposed on theopposing side faces 135 proximate to the bottom face 134 of the externalunit 130. The external unit side-handles 136 can be used for lifting theexternal unit 130. During installation of the external unit 130 asdiscussed in more detail herein. One or more external unit top-handles137 can be disposed on the top face 133 of the external unit 130 and canbe used for lifting and manipulating the external unit 130 duringinstallation of the external unit 130 as discussed in more detailherein. The external unit 130 can further include one or more grille,port or other suitable structure(s) (not shown), which can provide apassage from inside the external unit 130 through which conditioned aircan be expelled into an external environment and/or air can be taken infrom an external environment as discussed in more detail herein.

Turning to FIG. 2 , an example building 200 is shown that includes awall assembly 210 with a window 230 disposed within a wall 250, whichseparates an internal environment 260 within the building 200 (e.g., aroom) from an external environment 270 that is external to the building200 (e.g., an outdoor area). The example window 230 comprises a sash 231and pane 232 that moveably reside within a frame 233 that includes asill 234. The sash 231 can be configured to raise and lower within theframe 233, and when open, define an opening between the internal andexternal environments 260, 270.

An example air conditioning unit 100 is shown disposed extending throughthe window 230 with the internal unit 110 disposed within the internalenvironment 260 and the external unit 130 disposed in the externalenvironment 270. The internal and external units 110, 130 extend belowthe sill 234 toward a floor 280 of the building 200 with a portion ofthe wall 250 below the sill 234 disposed within the cavity 190 of theair conditioning unit 100. As discussed herein, the air conditioningunit 100 can be used to condition air in the internal and/or externalenvironments 260, 270. For example, in various embodiments, the airconditioning unit 100 can be configured to cool the internal environment260. In various embodiments, the air conditioning unit 100 can beconfigured to heat the internal environment 260.

While some embodiments are configured for residential use of an airconditioning unit within windows 230 of a home, it should be clear thatan air conditioning unit 100 of further embodiments can be used invarious other suitable ways, including in commercial settings such as inan office, factory, laboratory, school, vehicle, or the like. Also, theterms internal and external should not be construed to be limiting andare merely intended to represent separate environments, which can bepartially or completely separated in various suitable ways, including bystructures such as walls, windows, doors, screens, shades, partitions,sheets, and the like. Additionally, while various examples can relate toair conditioners disposed within a window 230, it should be clear thatfurther examples can be disposed in any suitable opening betweeninternal and external environments, such as a door, slot, flue, vent,skylight, drain, or the like. Accordingly, the specific examplesdiscussed herein should not be construed to be limiting on the widevariety of air conditioning units that are within the scope and spiritof the present disclosure.

In various embodiments, an air conditioning unit 100 can be modular withthe internal and external units 110, 130 configured to be separated fromthe bracket assembly 150. Such embodiments can be desirable in someexamples because having such elements separate can make installation ofthe air conditioner unit 100 easier compared to an air conditioning unit100 that is a unitary structure.

In various embodiments, the bracket assembly 150 can be configured tofacilitate installation of the internal and external units 110, 130,including facilitating moving the external unit 130 through an opening(e.g., a window 230) and positioning the external unit in an externalenvironment 270 proximate to the opening.

Turning to FIGS. 3 a, 3 b , 4 and 5, an example embodiment of a modularclimate control unit 100 is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 3 a , themodular climate control unit 100 can include at least oneuser-positionable interior unit 110 wherein the interior unit 110includes a fluid-to-air heat exchanger 312 and a fan 314 to circulateair across the fluid-to-air heat exchanger 312, an exterior unit 130including a fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger 318 and a system 320 forsupplying a working fluid having a controlled temperature to a firstside of the fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger 318 and a circulation hose 322defining one or more operable connections 321 between a fluid side ofthe fluid-to-air heat exchanger 312 and a second side of thefluid-to-fluid heat exchanger 318, wherein the circulation hose 322allows a circulating fluid to transport heat between the at least oneinterior unit 110 and the exterior unit 130. As will be discussed inmore detail below, the circulating fluid can be a non-toxic, userserviceable fluid and the circulation hose 322 can be coupled to atleast one interior unit 110 and the exterior unit 130 in a releasablemanner.

Turning to the example exterior unit 130 in more detail, the exteriorunit 130 can comprise a system 320 for controlling the temperature of aworking fluid. The system 320 for controlling the temperature may be aheat pump, compressor or the like. In the case of a heat pump, thesystem 320 may provide, add or remove heat to/from the working fluid. Incontrast, if only a compressor is provided, the system 320 may removeheat from the working fluid. Further, the exterior unit 130 can includea fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger 318 that can allow the exchange of heatbetween the working fluid on one side of the heat exchanger 318 and thecirculating fluid on the other side of the heat exchanger 318. A fan andvarious other components such as controls may also be included in theexterior unit 130 in some embodiments.

The interior unit 110 can comprise a fan 314 and a fluid-to-air heatexchanger 312. In some examples, the interior unit 110 includes a fluidpump and a circulating fluid storage tank that will operate as describedbelow in more detail.

The circulation hose 322 can comprise a detachable hose that extendsbetween the interior unit 110 and exterior unit 130. For example, as canbe seen at FIG. 3 b , the circulation hose 322 can include three lumenstherein that act as a fluid supply 324, a fluid return 326 and wiring328 for power and/or control signals between the interior unit 110 andexterior unit 130. The circulation hose 322 may further optionallyinclude a fourth lumen 330 to serve as a conduit to convey condensateback to the exterior unit 130 from the interior unit 110 preventing theneed for a condensate drain therein.

It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that within the scope ofthe present disclosure an outdoor unit 130 has been described, however,it should be appreciated that the outdoor unit 130 may be positionedindoors as well at a location wherein the user is not concerned aboutthe potential for heat gain. Further, it is anticipated within the scopeof the present disclosure that the air-cooled condenser may be afluid-cooled condenser and more particularly a condenser that is cooledusing ground source water.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 , the outdoor unit 130 can operate using a heatpump/air conditioning cycle to reduce the temperature of working fluid432 or coolant, which in turn extracts heat from a circulating fluid 434via the fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger 318. The cooled circulating fluid434 is then circulated, via the circulation hose 322, between theexterior and interior units 130, 110. As was illustrated in FIG. 3 a ,the circulating fluid 434 may be directed through the fluid-to-air heatexchanger 312 in the interior unit 130 to cool the air directly.

Further, as can be seen in FIG. 5 , the circulating fluid 434 may bedirected to reduce the overall temperature of a fluid storage tank 536within the interior unit 110. In this embodiment, when cooling is neededin the indoor space, cold fluid from the cold fluid storage tank 536 iscirculated through the fluid-to-air heat exchanger 312 where the fan 314circulates room air across the heat exchanger 312 producing a coolingeffect. One skilled in the art should appreciate that while the fluidstorage tank 536 is shown in the interior unit 110 it could also bepositioned within the exterior unit 130 or independently at anintermediate position along the circulation hose 322.

The example arrangement of FIG. 5 can allow a room cooling function anda fluid cooling function to be decoupled from one another in a temporalsense in that the control system may only operate the outdoor unit 130when the temperature of the circulating fluid rises above a certain setpoint. Similarly, the indoor unit 110 can independently increase ordecrease fan speed and fluid circulation rate in order to provide agreat deal of control over the cooling effect as compared to the priorart on or off cooling systems. This decoupling of the indoor coolingloop and the outdoor cooling loop can further allow the outdoor unit 130to cool the fluid when it is most efficient to do so. For example, theoutdoor unit 130 may cool the fluid stored in the interior insulatedcold fluid storage tank at night for cooling use during the day when theoutdoor ambient temperatures increase.

In various embodiments, the circulating fluid can be a non-toxic, lowfreezing point coolant such as salt brine of water mixed withpolyethylene glycol. This can be contrasted with some systems thatcirculate a refrigerant such as Freon or R-10 between the indoor andoutdoor units 110, 130. The arrangement of various embodiments allows auser to selectively connect an indoor unit 110 with an outdoor unit 130using a modular hose arrangement thereby eliminating a great deal ofcomplexity and cost. Further, this arrangement can allow for freedom inplacing the indoor unit 110 as needed for maximum cooling effect andoccupant comfort. The circulation hose(s) 322 can be attached to theindoor and outdoor units 110, 130 using a quick release style coupler342. Such quick release couplers 342 can include valving therein thatprevents leakage of circulating fluid 434 when the circulation hose(s)322 are disconnected.

To further enhance the modularity of the air conditioning unit 100, theindoor and/or outdoor units 110, 130 can be arranged such that theyinclude multiple hose connection points so that multiple indoor units110 can be connected to a single outdoor unit 130. Such connections maybe parallel or made directly from each of the indoor units 110 to theoutdoor unit 130. Alternately the indoor units 110 may be connected inseries or in a daisy chain arrangement with the outdoor unit 130.Turning back to FIG. 5 , the indoor unit 110 may include suchfunctionality as heat sensors 538 and servo directed louvers 540 todirect cooling airflow to hotspots in a room (e.g., room occupants).Further, the indoor unit 110 may be configured to collect condensate anddeposit the condensate back into the loop of circulating fluid 434. Theoutdoor unit 130 can then be configured to eject some fluid from theloop of circulating fluid 434 should the fluid capacity of the loop ofcirculating fluid 434 be exceeded by the addition of condensate.

It should be further appreciated by one skilled in the art that thearrangement of the various examples could operate equally well as aheating system. In operation, change that could be made is that theoutdoor unit 130 would be run as a heat pump rather than as an airconditioner. In this manner, rather than cooling the circulating fluid,the outdoor unit 130 would heat the circulating fluid. Optionally, theindoor unit(s) 110 may instead include a supplemental heatingarrangement such as an electrical heating coil.

It can therefore be seen that the present disclosure illustratesexamples of a modular air conditioner unit 100 that can operate on thebasic principle of a split system yet allows user serviceability andmodular components such that the system is flexible. Further, variousembodiments provide a modular air conditioning unit 100 that includes atleast one indoor cooling unit 110 that has an integrated cold storagetherein such that the temperature of the cold store is maintained by acirculating coolant fluid through user serviceable hose connections withan outdoor heat dissipation unit.

In various embodiments, the modular air conditioning unit 100 cancomprise various suitable sensors and other additional hardware. Forexample, the indoor unit 110 and/or outdoor unit 130 can comprise atemperature sensor, humidity sensor, barometric pressure sensor, lightsensor, and the like. It can be desirable for both the indoor andoutdoor units to both have such sensors so that environmental conditionsof both an indoor and outdoor environment can be determined.

Also, in various embodiments the modular air conditioning unit 100 cancomprise a suitable computing device configured to perform one or moresteps of at least one of the methods discussed herein, with such acomputing system including elements such as a processor, memory, powersource, sensor, communication unit, and the like. For example, a memorycan store instructions, that when executed by the processor, causeperformance of one or more steps of at least one of the methodsdiscussed herein. In various embodiments, such a computing system can becomplex or simple, with some embodiments operating via firmware insteadof a processor executing instruction stored on a computer-readablemedium. In further embodiments, a computing device can be absent, withfunctionalities achieved via physical components or under the control ofan external device.

In various embodiments, the modular air conditioner unit 100 cancomprise various suitable types of user interfaces. For example, FIG. 8illustrates an example embodiment of a modular air conditioner unit 100having an interface 800 disposed on the top face 113 of the internalunit 110. In this example, the interface 600 has a cylindrical body witha display 810 on the top of the interface 800 with a rotatable interfacering 820 defining a peripheral sidewall of the interface 800.

The display 810 can comprise a screen in various embodiments, which mayor may not be a touch screen that allows for input in addition toproviding visual presentations. Examples of interfaces provided by thedisplay 810 are shown and described herein. The interface ring 820 canprovide for one or more types of input in various embodiments, includingvia rotating of the interface ring 820, pressing the interface ring 820downward toward the top face 113 of the internal unit 110, pulling theinterface ring 820 upward away from the top face 113 of the internalunit 110, and the like. In some embodiments, the interface ring 820 canbe configured to rotate indefinitely without any stops or can beconfigured to rotate with one or more stop positions that stop rotationof the interface ring 820 in the clockwise and counter-clockwisedirection. In some embodiments, the interface ring 820 can compriseadditional interface elements such as one or more buttons, scroll,wheels, touch screens, or the like. In some embodiments, the interfacering 820 can be absent. In some embodiments, the interface 800 canprovide for various types of input or output including, voice input,haptic output, sound output, and the like.

In some embodiments, the interface 800 can be the only interface elementof the modular air conditioner unit 100, with other interface elementsbeing absent. However, in further embodiments, any suitable additionaland/or alternative interface elements can be present on the modular airconditioner unit 100.

In various embodiments, the top cover 170 can be configured to beadjustable to accommodate different widths of openings between aninternal and external environment 260, 270 such as the width of a wall250, sill 234 or the like. For example, FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate anexample of a bracket 150 that can be mounted over the sill 234 of awindow 230 in a wall 250 and slidably adapted to the size of the sill234 and wall 250 via a first bracket portion 605 and a second bracketportion 610. The first and second bracket portions 605, 610 can becoupled together in a given configuration via a latch 615 or othersuitable element (e.g., a screw, clamp, or the like).

The internal and external units 110, 130 can be mounted on respectivesides of the bracket 150 and a plurality of lines 620 (e.g., fluid,communication and/or power lines) can be extended through the window 230and can be coupled with respective ports 625 to operably couple theinternal and external units 110, 130. Further examples of installing amodular air conditioning unit can be found in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 17/017,066, filed Sep. 10, 2020, entitled “WINDOW INSTALLATIONSYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SPLIT-ARCHITECTURE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT,” withattorney docket number 0111058-003US0, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety and for all purposes.

A top cover 170 can be installed over and/or about one or both of theinternal and external units 110, 130. For example, as shown in FIG. 8 ,a top cover 170 can be installed over the top face 133 of the externalunit 130 and surrounding portions of the front face 131 and/or sidewalls135 of the external unit 130. The top cover 170 in various embodimentscan extend through the window 230 and partially or fully over the wall250, sill 234, and the like. The top cover 170 can further engage theinternal unit 110 including over the top face 113 of the internal unit110 and in some embodiments surrounding portions of the front face 111and/or sidewalls 115 of the internal unit 110.

In various embodiments, the top cover 170 can be configured to adapt tothe distance between the internal and external units 110, 130, which canbe generated by the size of the bracket 150, which can be defined asdiscussed herein. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 in someembodiments the top cover 170 can comprise a first portion 910 and asecond portion 930 that are slidably nested together such that a lengthof the top cover 170 can be changed to adapt to the distance between theinternal and external units 110, 130.

The first portion 910 can extend between an external first portion end912 and an internal first portion end 914 with a pair of first portionflanges 916 extending from opposing sides of the first portion 910. Thefirst portion flanges 916 can comprise respective coupling pins 918 andcan define respective guide slots 920. The second portion 930 can extendbetween an external second portion end 932 and an internal secondportion end 934 with a pair of second portion flanges 936 extending fromopposing sides of the second portion 930. The first portion flanges 916can comprise respective guide pins 938, that are configured to travel inthe respective slots 920 defined by the first portion flanges 916, whichcan generate a slidable coupling of the first and second portion 910,930.

As shown in the example of FIG. 8 , the first portion 910 of the topcover 170 can be disposed over the top face 133 of the external unit 130with the external first portion end 912 disposed at the front face 131of the external unit 130, which can include in some embodiments a lip ofthe external first portion end 912 engaging the front face 131 of theexternal unit 130. In various embodiments, the external first portionend 912 can be contoured to match the profile of the top face 133 of theexternal unit 130 at the front face 131. For example, as shown in FIGS.8 and 9 , the external first portion end 912 can be linear in the centerand curved at the ends to match the profile of the top face 133 of theexternal unit 130 at the front face 131. The first portion flanges 916can engage the sidewalls 135 of the external unit 130 and in someembodiments can extend past the faces of the sidewalls 135 into or aboutthe cavity 190 between the internal and external units 110, 130.

The second portion 930 of the top cover 170 can be slidably disposedover the first portion 910 with the external second portion end 932 ofthe second portion 930 engaging the top face 113 of the internal unit110. In some embodiments, after the top cover 170 is fully attached tothe outdoor unit, the user can extend the top cover 170 via sliding thesecond portion 930 until the second portion 930 reaches the indoor unit110. In one embodiment, the top cover 170 is attached to the indoor unit110 via spring plungers that are installed on each side of the indoorunit 110. In other embodiments, the top cover 170 can be attached to theindoor unit 130 via other suitable mechanisms such as clips, hooks, alip, a ledge, or the like.

For example, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 8 , the internal unit110 can comprise a lip 830 extending from the internal face 112 of theinternal unit 110 within the cavity 190 between the internal andexternal units 110, 130 and the external second portion end 932 of thesecond portion 910 can engage this lip 830.

The second portion flanges 936 can slidably engage the first portionflanges 916 over at least a portion of the sidewalls 135 of the externalunit 130 and into or about the cavity 190 between the internal andexternal units 110, 130. In various embodiments, the first and secondportions 910, 930 of the top cover 170 can be made of various suitablematerials such as sheet metal, plastic, or the like.

In some embodiments, the top cover 170 consists of, consists essentiallyof or comprises two or more pieces (e.g., portions 910, 930) that slideagainst each other. In one preferred embodiment, the two or more piecesare unable to be separated and are joined together by a slidingconnector such as a pin and slot connection (e.g., guide pins 938 inguide slots 920 as discussed herein). In some examples, this cancomprise one or more pin attached to one of the pieces that engages witha slot on a hem of the other; and/or the two pieces can slide via rails,trackers, or rollers; or the like.

In various embodiments, the top cover 170 can be coupled to the modularair conditioning system 100 in various suitable ways. For example, FIG.10 illustrates an example embodiment where the external unit 130comprises coupling slots 1000 defined by the sidewalls 135 of theexternal unit 130 proximate to the top face 131 (only one side of theexternal unit 130 is shown in FIG. 10 ). The coupling slots 1000comprise an opening 1010 defined by the top face 131 and a sidewall 135that extends downward at an angle to a linear slot portion 1020.

For example, to install the top cover 170 on the external unit 130respective coupling pins 918 at an end of the top cover 170 (see e.g.,FIGS. 9 and 11 ) can be inserted into the opening 1010 and be moveddownward to the linear slot portion 1020 and moved toward the front face131 of the external unit 130 within the linear slot portion 1020. Thetop cover 170 and coupling pins 918 can be sized such that the couplingpins 918 can move within the coupling slot 1000, but are prevented fromleaving the coupling slot 1000 once inserted. In some embodiments, whenthe coupling pins 918 reach the end of the linear slot portion 1020,they can “click” into place (e.g., based on a depression or bump at theend of the linear slot portion, a clip, or the like).

Such embodiments can allow a user to secure the top cover 170 closer tothe window, minimizing potential drop hazard concerns. The engagement ofthe coupling pins 918 in the slots 1000 of the outdoor unit 130 mayminimize concerns over wind loading on the top cover 170 in variousexamples, which can be a concern for windows on high-rise buildings. Inanother embodiment, the top cover 170 can be secured using clips or atether to prevent the potential to drop the top cover 170 out of thewindow. In some embodiments, the top cover 170 can be attached to theindoor unit 110 via a spring plunger on each side of the indoor unit110. The top cover 170 in various examples obscures the electricaland/or hydronic connections between the outdoor and indoor units 110,130, creating a more seamless transition between the outdoor and indoorunits 110, 130.

In some embodiments, the top cover 170, when installed on the modularair conditioning system 100, can be sloped towards the outdoors orinclude features that allow for easier water drainage and prevent anyrain from entering indoors through a window or other opening. Forexample, there can be a 3° slant from the back of the indoor unit 110 tothe outer edge of the outdoor unit 130 so rain does not collect on thesurface of the top cover 170. Further embodiments can have a slant on1.0°, 1.5°, 2.0 °, 2.5°, 3.0°, 3.5°, 4.0°, 4.5°, 5.0°, or the likeincluding a suitable range between such example values.

Instead of first attaching the top cover 170 to the outdoor unit 130 andthen to the indoor unit 110, in some embodiments the top cover 170 canfirst connect to the indoor unit 110 and then be connected to theoutdoor unit 130. For example, a user could attach the top cover 170 tothe indoor unit 110 and then slide a movable portion of the top cover170 to match the outer edge, inner edge or top portion of the outdoorunit 130.

In various embodiments, the top cover 170, internal unit 110 and/orexternal unit 130 can include various suitable features that provide forvarious functionalities. For example, FIG. 8 illustrates an example ofthe internal unit 110 having a rectangular tray 850, which can include aconcave depression defined by the top portion 113 of the internal unit110. Such a feature can be configured for holding various items on themodular air conditioning system 100. In another example, FIG. 12illustrates an example embodiment wherein the top cover 170 comprises arailing 1200, which can be desirable for holding items on the top cover170 (e.g., plants). For example, such a railing 1200 can help preventitems stored outside of a window 230 from falling off the modular airconditioning system 100. In another example, FIG. 13 illustrates anembodiment where a modular air conditioning system 100 comprises ascreen 1300 that extends within a window 230. In yet another example,FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment where the top cover 170 and/orinternal unit 110 comprises a hole 1400, which can be used for storageof various items such as a potted plant, or the like. In some examples,to improve window sealing, some embodiments can include foam or othersealing mechanisms on the underside of the top cover 170 to block anyremaining gaps between the modular air conditioning system 100 and thewindow 230, wall 250, or the like. In various embodiments, such elementscan be integral parts of the internal unit 110, external unit 130, topcover 170, or the like, or can be add-ons or modular components of suchportions of the modular air conditioning system 100.

The described embodiments are susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, and specific examples thereof have been shown by wayof example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It shouldbe understood, however, that the described embodiments are not to belimited to the particular forms or methods disclosed, but to thecontrary, the present disclosure is to cover all modifications,equivalents, and alternatives. Additionally, elements of a givenembodiment should not be construed to be applicable to only that exampleembodiment and therefore elements of one example embodiment can beapplicable to other embodiments. Additionally, in some embodiments,elements that are specifically shown in some embodiments can beexplicitly absent from further embodiments. Accordingly, the recitationof an element being present in one example should be construed tosupport some embodiments where such an element is explicitly absent.

What is claimed is:
 1. An air conditioning unit comprising: an interiorunit disposed at a window within an indoor area of a building below ahorizontal level of a sill of the window, the window separating theindoor area within the building and an exterior area external to thebuilding, the interior unit comprising a fan disposed behind a heatexchanger that is proximate to an external face of the interior unit; anexterior unit disposed at the window in the exterior area below thehorizontal level of the sill, the exterior unit comprising a top face, afront face and a pair of opposing sidewalls; a bracket disposed over thesill of the window, the bracket extending through the window and belowthe sill of the window in both the indoor area within the building andthe exterior area external to the building with the interior unit andexterior unit coupled to and hanging from the bracket, the bracketconfigured to slidably widen and narrow to correspond to a width of thesill of the window and defining a distance between the interior unit andthe exterior unit; one or more connectors between the interior unit andthe exterior unit that extend through the window and over the sill, theone or more connectors including a circulation hose that extends throughthe window and over the sill to connect the exterior unit and theinterior unit; and a top cover comprising a first portion and a secondportion that are slidably nested together such that a length of the topcover can be changed to adapt to the distance between the interior unitand the exterior unit defined by the bracket, wherein the first portionextends between an external first portion end and an internal firstportion end with a pair of first portion flanges extending from opposingsides of the first portion, the first portion flanges comprisingrespective coupling pins and defining respective guide slots, whereinthe second portion extends between an external second portion end and aninternal second portion end with a pair of second portion flangesextending from opposing sides of the second portion, the second portionflanges comprising respective guide pins that are configured to travelin the respective guide slots defined by the first portion flanges togenerate a slidable coupling of the first and second portions, whereinthe first portion of the top cover is disposed over the top face of theexterior unit with the external first portion end disposed at the frontface of the exterior unit, the external first portion end contoured tomatch a curved profile of the top face of the exterior unit at the frontface, and wherein the first portion flanges engage the sidewalls of theexterior unit and extend past faces of the sidewalls into or about acavity between the interior unit and the exterior unit, the secondportion of the top cover slidably disposed over the first portion withthe external second portion end of the second portion engaging a topface of the interior unit.
 2. The air conditioning unit of claim 1,wherein the exterior unit comprises respective coupling slots defined bythe sidewalls of the exterior unit proximate to the top face, thecoupling slots comprising: an opening defined by the top face and one ofthe sidewalls, and a linear slot portion; wherein installation of thetop cover on the exterior unit includes the respective coupling pins atan end of the top cover being: inserted into the opening, moved downwardto the linear slot portion, and moved toward the front face of theexterior unit within the linear slot portion, wherein the top cover andcoupling pins are sized such that the coupling pins can move within thecoupling slots, but are prevented from leaving the coupling slots onceinserted aside from back out the openings.
 3. The air conditioning unitof claim 1, wherein the top cover is disposed on the exterior unit atleast at a 3.0° slant from the interior unit to the front face of theexterior unit to reduce rain collecting on a surface of the top cover.4. The air conditioning unit of claim 1, wherein the top cover obscuresthe one or more connectors between the interior unit and the exteriorunit that extends through the window and over the sill in the cavitybetween the interior unit and the exterior unit.
 5. An air conditioningunit comprising: an interior unit; an exterior unit comprising a topface, a front face and a pair of opposing sidewalls; and a top covercomprising a first portion and a second portion that are slidably nestedtogether such that a length of the top cover can be changed to adapt toa distance between the interior unit and the exterior unit, wherein thefirst portion extends between an external first portion end and aninternal first portion end with a pair of first portion flangesextending from opposing sides of the first portion, the first portionflanges comprising respective coupling pins and defining respectiveguide slots, wherein the second portion extends between an externalsecond portion end and an internal second portion end with a pair ofsecond portion flanges extending from opposing sides of the secondportion, the second portion flanges comprising respective guide pinsthat are configured to travel in the respective guide slots defined bythe first portion flanges to generate a slidable coupling of the firstand second portions, wherein the first portion of the top cover isdisposed over the top face of the exterior unit with the external firstportion end disposed at the front face of the exterior unit, and whereinthe first portion flanges engage the sidewalls of the exterior unit andextend past faces of the sidewalls into or about a cavity between theinterior unit and the exterior unit, the second portion of the top coverslidably disposed over the first portion with the external secondportion end of the second portion engaging a top face of the interiorunit.
 6. The air conditioning unit of claim 5, wherein the exterior unitcomprises respective coupling slots defined by the sidewalls of theexterior unit proximate to the top face, the coupling slots comprising:an opening defined by the top face and one of the sidewalls, and alinear slot portion; wherein the top cover is configured for therespective coupling pins at an end of the top cover being: inserted intothe opening, moved downward to the linear slot portion, and moved towardthe front face of the exterior unit within the linear slot portion,wherein the top cover and coupling pins are sized such that the couplingpins can move within the coupling slots, but are prevented from leavingthe coupling slots once inserted, aside from back out the openings. 7.The air conditioning unit of claim 5, further comprising a bracket withthe interior unit and the exterior unit coupled to the bracket, thebracket configured to slidably widen and narrow to define the distancebetween the interior unit and the exterior unit.
 8. The air conditioningunit of claim 5, wherein the interior unit is disposed at an openingwithin an indoor area of a building below a horizontal level of theopening, the opening separating the indoor area within the building andan exterior area external to the building, and wherein the exterior unitis disposed at the opening in the exterior area below the horizontallevel of the opening.
 9. The air conditioning unit of claim 8, furthercomprising: one or more connectors between the interior unit and theexterior unit that extends through the opening, the one or moreconnectors including a circulation hose that extends through the openingto connect the exterior unit and the interior unit.
 10. An airconditioning unit comprising: an interior unit; an exterior unitcomprising a top face, a front face and a pair of opposing sidewalls;and a top cover.
 11. The air conditioning unit of claim 10, wherein thetop cover comprises a first portion and a second portion that areslidably nested together such that a length of the top cover can bechanged to adapt to a distance between the interior unit and theexterior unit.
 12. The air conditioning unit of claim 11, wherein thefirst portion extends between an external first portion end and aninternal first portion end with a pair of first portion flangesextending from opposing sides of the first portion, the first portionflanges comprising respective coupling pins and defining respectiveguide slots.
 13. The air conditioning unit of claim 12, wherein thefirst portion flanges engage the sidewalls of the exterior unit andextend past faces of the sidewalls into or about a cavity between theinterior unit and the exterior unit.
 14. The air conditioning unit ofclaim 11, wherein the second portion extends between an external secondportion end and an internal second portion end with a pair of secondportion flanges extending from opposing sides of the second portion, thesecond portion flanges comprising respective guide pins that areconfigured to travel in guide slots defined by the first portion togenerate a slidable coupling of the first and second portions.
 15. Theair conditioning unit of claim 11, wherein the first portion of the topcover is disposed over the top face of the exterior unit with anexternal first portion end disposed at the front face of the exteriorunit.
 16. The air conditioning unit of claim 11, wherein the secondportion of the top cover is slidably disposed over the first portionwith an external second portion end of the second portion engaging theinterior unit.
 17. The air conditioning unit of claim 10, wherein theexterior unit comprises respective coupling slots defined by thesidewalls of the exterior unit proximate to the top face, wherein thetop cover is configured for respective coupling pins at an end of thetop cover being inserted into and coupled within the coupling slots. 18.The air conditioning unit of claim 17, wherein the coupling pins of thetop cover being inserted into and coupled within the coupling slotsincludes: the coupling pins being inserted into respective openings ofthe coupling slots, and the coupling pins being moved toward the frontface of the exterior unit within a linear slot portion.
 19. The airconditioning unit of claim 10, further comprising a bracket with theinterior unit and the exterior unit coupled to the bracket, the bracketconfigured to slidably widen and narrow to define a distance between theinterior unit and the exterior unit.
 20. The air conditioning unit ofclaim 10, wherein the interior unit is disposed at an opening within anindoor area below an opening of a structure, the opening separating theindoor area and an exterior area, and wherein the exterior unit isdisposed at the opening in the exterior area below the opening.